US279033A - Grain-drill - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) .2 sheetssheet 1. J. SMITH.

GRAIN DRILL. No. 279,033. Patented June 5,1883.

INVENTEIP.

N F'ETERS. Phato-lulheguphfl Wanhingion. b. c.

(N0 Model.) v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

3. SMITH.

GRAIN DRILL.

No. 279,033. Patented June 5,1883.

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N. PETERS. Phnwmbo npher. Wnh'mglcn. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

ASSIGNOR OFQONE-HALF TO \VISOONSIN.

DRILL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 279,033, dated June 5, 1883,

Application filed June 19, 1882. (No model.) i A To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN SMITH, of Ontonagon, in the county of Ontonagon and State of Michigan, have invented certain Improvements in Grain-Drills, of which the following is a specification- My invention relates to grain-drills or seeding-machines; and it consists in a novel con-. struction of the frame and drag-bars, in which metal tubing is chiefly used; in a frictionclutch adapted to connect or disconnect the seed wheels with or from the driving-wheel; in a novel construction of the seed-distributers, and

other features and'details hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of myimproved machine; Fig. 2, an end or side view; Fig. 3, a vertical cross-section of the friction-clutch; Fig. 4, a vertical longitudinal section through the same; Fig. 5, a perspective view of the wedge used in the clutch; Fig. 6, a rear face view of one of the seed-distributers; Fig. 7, a longitudinal vertical section through the same; Figs. 8 and 9, end views of the seed-distributer taken from opposite ends. Fig. 10 is a perspective view ofthe same; igs. 11 and 12, views illustrating the manner ofclamping the shovel or tooth standard on the drag-bars.

The object of this invention is to simplify the construction, decrease the weight, and add to the strength of grain-drills; and to this end it consists in constructing the machine s sh own in the drawings, in which I A represents a seed-hopper, of ordinary form and construction, mounted upon a frame composed of two tubular rods, B and 0, connected and held in place by end plates or arms, D, the whole being carried by wheels E and F, as shown in Fig. 1. The rods B and C are preferably formed of heavy gas-pipe, and the'arm-plates or end pieces, D, are preferably furnished with threaded holes, into which the pipes, similarly threaded, may be screwed. One or both of the pipes,when thus arranged,'should have a right and a left hand thread on its opposite ends, and it is preferred to thus provide both of said pipes. Jain-nuts a and b are screwed firmly against the inner and outer faces of theend plates or arms to prevent loosening or move ment ofthe parts. The bar or pipe 0 forms the main member of the frame of the machine, and

is consequently made of large diameter, so that with the end plates or arms, D, a very stiff and strong frame is produced, though, by reason of the tubular form of the bars B O, the frame 5 is quite light. The frame is carried, as above stated, by wheels E F, both fast upon inde pendent short axles c, which pass through sleeves or boxes (7, formed upon the rear ends of the end plates or arms, D, as shown in Figs. 6c 1 and 2, and in which the axles turn freely. The wheel E is retained in place by a nut and washer applied to the inner end of its axle, as shownin Fig. 1; but the wheel F, in order to accommodate a friction-clutch, as presently explained, has the inner end of its axle c extend inward beyond the end of the sleeve or box (I, grooved circumferentially, as shown at c, and held in place by a screw or stud, f, extending into the groove from asurrounding case or cap, G, which latter is also retainedin place thereby. As it is necessary, however, for the axle and the cap or case G to be capable of rotating together, or of one remaining stationary while the other revolves, I prefer to groove the axle at a point within the box or sleeve (1, and. to pass a key or screw-plug through the sleeve and into the groove, thereby relieving the stud f of all strain or friction occasioned by end -play of the axle.

H represents the seed-distributor shaft, of square or polygonal form throughout most of its length, but rounded at suitable points to pass through androtatein hangers or arms I, which may be attached to the under side of the 8 5 hopper, or formed upon or secured to the end plates or arms, D, as found most convenient. The shaft passes through a series of seed-distributing wheels, J, each mounted in a seed cup, K, arranged cated in Figs. 1 and 2. given to the shaft H from the driving-wheel. F, the end of the shaft being squared and passed through a squarehole, g, in the end of the cap or case G, which is furnished with a 95 friction-clutch, L, as shown in Fig. 1, by which it can be made fast upon or disconnected from the axle c at will by merely shifting its operatinglever M. By referring to- Figs.

Rotary motion is 3 and 4. the construction of this clutch and its I00 7 beneath thehopper, as indio 'seen in Fig. 7, with 0 eratingmechanism will be readily seen. e axle 0 projects beyond the inner end of the sleeve or box (I, and is surrounded by the cap or case G, which is retained in place by the stud or screw f, extending into groove 0, as above mentioned. The cap or case is furnishedwith an internal flexibleband, N, which may be of any suitable material, though steel is preferred, and this band is connected at its ends by links 2 to blocks 71, which are seated in an annulaiurecess, j, formed in an enlargement, k, of the cap, as shown in Fig. 3 One of the blocks h bears or rests against the end of a set-screw, I, which. can be adjusted at any time to compensate for elongation or wear of the friction-band, and the other block b rests against the side of a wedge-block, m, arranged to slide transversely across the enlargement 7.1, through recess j, and to bear at one side against the end wall of the reeessj, and at the other side against the end of block 11. The block being of wedging or tapering form, as shown in Fig. 5, causes the block h to move in the recess j toward its companion block, and thereby to tighten the band N upon the axle c. The wedge-b1ock m passes through the recess or opening j in the enlargement k of cap G, and as the band is tightened uponthe axle the cap is of course made fast thereto, and caused to rotate therewith, thus giving motion to the seed-distributer shaft H; but when the band is loosened the axle is free to rotate without the cap G, and the seed-distributer shaft consequently remains at rest.

For the purpose of operating the clutch, I provide a hand-lever, M, which, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, is pivoted atone end to a block, 0, secured upon the bar or pipe C, and is formed with an annular enlargement, 1), within which is mounted or journaled a ring, (1, the journals r of which are arranged at the upper and lower sides of the ring and vertically in line with the center, so that as the lever is shifted laterally the ring (1 may remain. constantly perpendicular or at right angles to the cap G and axle c. The ring (1 is grooved on its inner face, as shown at r, to receive the upright lip or tail of wedge-block m, which travels in said groove when the shaft H rotates. By this arrangement the parts of the clutch are always in position forinstant operation, and there is no delayin waiting for parts to assume a certain relative position, as is the case with most ratchetclutches.

The seed-distributers are more clearly illus trated in Figs. 6, 7, S, and 9, and will be seen to consist each of a winged cylinder, J, passing centrally through a circular plate, P, in the same manner essentially as in the wellknown rosette-feeders now in common use. The plate P is formed with a peripheral rib or tlange, s, which is seated in a groove or channel, t, formed in the bracket or plate Q, which supports and carries the plate, and is secured to the under side of the hopper A. The feedwheel or distributer J is formed, as more clearly blades or wings ll-Oll about diameter with the part n on the one-half its length, while the remaining portion is left perfectly smooth and plain, and of cylindrical form, and is surroundedby a sleeve, 11, of the seed-cup K, within which sleeve it freely rotates. The rear end of cylinder J is flanged to prevent its moving longitudinally within the sleeve 11, and the seed-cup K,wh-ich is formed in one piece with or rigidly connected to the sleeve, is made with an enlarged cylin; drical portion, 10, which encircles the bracket or plate Q, except at the upper side, where the cup is cut away to pass the reduced portion 1' of said bracket or plate and the seed-spout y. The cup is made of sufficient length at the upper side to permit it to move back and forth a distance equal to the length of the wings a, or nearly so, in order that the distributer maybe moved through plate P until the inner ends of the wings a come flush with the inner face of said plate, and thereby entirely shut off vthe flow of seed. From the top of the cup down to a point about on a line with the lowermost edge of the wings a the cup is made of imiform front side, but of gradually reducing width or, in other words, the end of this enlarged portion curves or inclines gradually space 2, as indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 6 and '7, thus directing the seed to the ends and faces of the wings a, and insuring its delivery thereby through the discharge-opening a. As shown in Fig. 6, the opening a is formed with an inclined edge, and is also open at the end of the wings a, by which arrangement the grain or seed is caused to flow out in a continuous and regular stream, instead of falling in bunches.

By moving the shaft H lengthwise the distributer J and the cup K are moved, respectively, through the plate P and over the bracket Q, and the grain or seed space within the cup and the operative face of the winged cylinder are thereby diminished, and the quantity of seed delivered, is accordingly lessened or by moving the shaft in the opposite direction the feed is increased.

It is particularly to be noted that the sleeve *vcovers the plain or smooth portion of cylinder or distributer J, and that the winged portion only acts upon the seed. By this construction the excessive rubbing and wear. of the grain is prevented and thefeed is rendered uniform and positive.

For the purpose of adjusting the shaft H, I provide a lever, B, which is pivoted to the hopper and moves at its upper end over a graduated are or segment, S, while its lower end is forked and straddles and fits in a grooved block or collar, T, secured upon said shaft, as is common in this class of machines.

Beneath the respective seed-distributcrs are arranged the drill teeth or hoes U, any desired number of each being used, but the number of one corresponding with that of the other, as usual.

The dragbars V are formed of tubular rods, preferably heavy gas or water piping of proper inward toward the feedsize, and are jointed or hinged to the front bar, B, of the frame by clips I), as shown.

The drill teeth or hoes U are bolted each to a divided clamp, X, which is clamped or made fast upon the drag-bar V by tightening the bolts Y Y, and thus producing the necessary degree of friction. The clamp X is preferably divided on the upper side only, as represent ed,-but may be in two separate pieces. The lower bolt Y forms a pivot for the toothstandard, which is bent or coiled about said bolt and held thereon with any desired degree of friction produced by tightening the bolt Z.' The lower bolt Y should be made of considerable diameter, or else should be encircled by a friction-block, neither of which should be allowed to rotate. It will be seen that by adjusting the pressure of the bolts Y the friction of the clamp can be regulated so as to allow the clamp to slip upon the drag-bar in case obstructions of any kind are met with.

I do not broadly claim a tubular grain-drill frame, as I am aware that such have before been made; but hitherto the ends havealso been formed of pipe-a construction I do not deem desirable and do not use. My end plates are perforated or perforated and threaded, and I make no claim to the tubular bars, except when combined with end plates such as I have shown and described. Neither do I claim pipes having right and left handed threads at opposite ends, except as used with such end plates.

I am further aware that cultivator-frames have had the beams connected by means of threaded ironrods, and that nuts have been applied to said rods on opposite sides of the beams. I make no claim to such construction.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1-. In a seeding-machine, a wheeled frame consisting of wheels E F, tubular bars or pipes B (l, and metallic end plates, D, having openings formed through them to receive the bars or pipes, said parts being combined substantially as shown and described.

2. In a grain-drill frame, the combination of threaded pipes 13 0, end plates, D, perforated and threaded to receive the ends of said pipes, and jam-nuts (1, applied to said pipes and arranged to bear against the end plates, substantially as described and shown.

3. The herein described frame for graindrills, consisting of pipes B 0, one or both threaded in opposite directions at opposite ends, and the end plates, D, perforated andthreaded to receive the ends of the pipes, and

provided with sleeves d to receive the wheelaxles, substantially as shown and described.

4. In combination with the frame having end plates, D, provided with sleeves cl, wheels E I, having'short independent axles rigidly formed upon or secured to their hubs, and extending through the sleeves, as shown and described.

5. The-hereindescribed clutch for grain drills and seeders, consisting of cap or case G,

friction-band N, provided with block h, and

8. The combination, as herein set forth, of

axle 0, cap G, shaft H, stud f, ring or band N, links 13, blocks h, wedge m, ring q, and lever M.

9. In combination with the axle c and wedge m, the band N, provided with blocks 71, and

the set-screw I, applied as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a seed-distributer, the combination of a stationary arm or bracket, a circular plate mounted therein, a winged cylinder arranged to pass through said plate, and a seedcup con nected and arranged to move with the cylinder relatively to the plate, substantially as set forth, whereby both the operative surface of the cylinder and the interior space or capacity of theseed-cup are simultaneously regulated.

11. The herein-described seed-distributor for grain-drills, consisting of fixed bracket Q, containing rosette or plate I, sliding case K, and winged cylinder J, journaled in the case and arranged to move through the rosette or plate and to carry the ease with it in its movements back and forth.

. 12. In combination with the divided clamp X, provided with bolts Y Y, the tooth-standard U, encircling the lower one of said bolts and clamped thereto by bolt Z, as shown.

, JOHN SMITH.

\Vitnesses:

ALFRED MEAD, Onas. M. EVELAND.

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